(Interstat) — In a result that defied statistical projections, the Copper Mountain Fighting Cacti secured a 60-51 road victory over the Cerro Coso Coyotes in a California Community College Athletic Association men’s basketball game on Saturday, January 3, 2026. The win, built on a dominant first half and sustained by disruptive defense, improved Copper Mountain to 10-5 on the season while Cerro Coso fell to 4-9.

Interstat’s ELO system had projected the Coyotes with a 68.3 percent probability to win on their home floor. That projection was quickly dismantled by a relentless Copper Mountain start. The Fighting Cacti erupted for 31 points in the opening quarter, establishing a lead they would never relinquish. While Cerro Coso’s Lance Bailey Jr. kept his team within striking distance with 10 first-quarter points, the Coyotes struggled to find any consistent offensive rhythm against Copper Mountain’s pressure.

The most critical phase of the game spanned the final minutes of the first quarter and the opening of the second, where Copper Mountain effectively sealed the outcome. After Cerro Coso closed to within 17-15 late in the first, the Fighting Cacti unleashed a decisive 14-2 run. The surge was fueled by defensive intensity, as Copper Mountain forced a series of Cerro Coso turnovers and converted them into transition opportunities. Key plays included a steal and layup by Amarion Wallace and a 3-pointer from Wallace, pushing the lead to 31-17. The run extended into the second quarter, culminating with a Tyree Rose 3-pointer that gave Copper Mountain its largest lead at 34-18. The Coyotes, plagued by 18 turnovers in the game compared to just 8 for Copper Mountain, could not mount a sustained comeback against that deficit.

Copper Mountain’s defensive execution was the cornerstone of the victory. The Fighting Cacti recorded 10 steals, doubling Cerro Coso’s total, and consistently disrupted the Coyotes’ offensive sets. This defensive pressure limited Cerro Coso to an offensive rating of 79.3 points per 100 possessions, while Copper Mountain managed a more efficient 94.2 on the same number of possessions. Despite being outrebounded 40-30, Copper Mountain’s ability to create extra chances through turnovers and their 10-5 advantage in assists illustrated a more cohesive and opportunistic performance.

Bailey Jr. was the standout individual performer for Cerro Coso, finishing with a game-high 24 points in 37 minutes. For Copper Mountain, the effort was more balanced. Amarion Wallace provided efficient production with 10 points and 7 rebounds in 20 minutes, while Donte Ralston Jr. facilitated the offense with 5 assists. Anthony Camara added 8 points off the bench.

The Fighting Cacti now look ahead to a home contest against Palo Verde on Wednesday. Cerro Coso will aim to regroup on the road at Desert on January 10. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in a rematch at Copper Mountain on Wednesday, February 4.